Apparatus for feeding filling threads to a warp knitting machine

ABSTRACT

First and second spaced apart conveyors, each of which may be an endless chain, carry a plurality of thread clamping means. A guide means moves between the two conveyors, and guides filling threads drawn from relatively stationary supplies. A plurality of first conveyor clamping means are operated simultaneously as the guide means crosses them, to clamp the filling thread ends. Filling threads are drawn from the first conveyor to the second as the guide means moves, and a plurality of second conveyor clamping means are operated simultaneously as the guide means crosses them, to clamp the filling threads. Thereafter, the filling threads are cut between the second conveyor and the guide means. The conveyors then move the filling threads to the knitting instrumentalities of the knitting machine.

United States Patent Bassist [451 Aug. 1,1972

[54] APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FILLING THREADS TO A WARP KNITTING MACHINE [72] Inventor: Rudolph G. Bassist, Lancaster, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Travis Mills 2 [22] Filed: July 22, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 57,235

[52] US. Cl. ..66/84, 28/1 CL, 156/440 [51] Int. Cl. ..D04b 23/12 [58] Field of Search ..28/1 CL; 156/439, 440; 66/84 A [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,364,701 l/l968 Carman ..66/84 2,000,643 5/1935 Morton ..28/1 CL UX R25,749 3/1965 Mauersberger ..66/84 3,440,840 4/1969 Frenzel ..66/84 3,446,038 S/ 1969 Inui ..66/84 3,564,872 2/1971 Klaeui ..28/1 CL X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 2,006,718 l/1970 France ..66/84 Primary Examiner-Robert R. Mackey Attorney--Breitenfeld & Levine [57] ABSTRACT First and second spaced apart conveyors, each of which may be an endless chain, carry a plurality of thread clamping means. A guide means moves between the two conveyors, and guides filling threads drawn from relatively stationary supplies. A plurality of first conveyor clamping means are operated simultaneously as the guide means crosses them, to clamp the filling thread ends. Filling threads are drawn from the first conveyor to the second as the guide means moves, and a plurality of second conveyor clamping means are operated simultaneously as the guide means crosses them, to clamp the filling threads. Thereafter, the filling threads are cut between the second conveyor and the guide means. The conveyors then move the filling threads to the knitting instrumentalities of the knitting machine.

17 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTEU I973 3.680.332

sum 1 nr 5 FIG. I

INVENTOR: panama a. 5/255/57' P'A'TENTEflAus 1 m2 SHEET 2 0F 5 INVENTOR 1 RUDOL PM 6- EASS/ST ATTOR N EYS APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FILLING THREADS TO A WARP KNITTING MACHINE width of the fabric.

Knitted fabrics ofier desirable draping qualities, but are not as dimensionally stable as woven fabrics. It has been found that the dimensional stability of knitted fabrics can be enhanced without sacrificing their draping ability, by incorporating filling threads into them. The problem presented is how to feed such filling threads to a knitting machine during the knitting operation, so that'the filling threads become a permanent part of the knit fabric. I

. One solution is offered in US. Pat. No. 3,364,701, which shows and describes anapparatus for feeding filling threads to a warp knitting machine. In that apparatus, first and second spaced apart, endless chain conveyors extend to the knitting instrumentalities of the machine. Each conveyor carries a series of thread clamps. A third endless chain conveyor moves between the first and second conveyors, the third conveyor carrying a series of filling thread supplies in the form of the usual wound cones. As each supply or cone passes the first conveyor, a'suction head draws the loose end of yarn trailing from the coneinto a position for clamping by one of the clamps carried by that conveyor. Consequently, as the' cone moves toward the second conveyor, a filling thread is drawn from it. The filling thread is then clamped by a clamp on the second conveyor, and thereafter the filling thread is served from the remainder of the thread supply on the cone. Each individual filling thread extending between the first and second conveyor is then delivered by those conveyors to the knitting instrumentalitiesof the machine.

The apparatus just described involves a number of serious disadvantages, First, since the supply cones'of filling thread move continuously along the third conveyor, the tension of the thread being drawn from any of the cones cannot be adjusted without stopping the knitting machine. Secondly, when one of the supply cones becomes exhausted, the entire knitting machine must be stopped to permit replacement with a fresh cone. Also, a source of suction, and attendant connec-.

tions and fittings, are required.

,It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for feeding filling threads to a warp knitting machine, having all the advantages of the apparatus described in the above-identified U.S.'patent, but none of the disadvantages mentioned above.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide such an apparatus wherein filling threads may be fed to a warp knitting machine from supply cones located in a stationary creel.

Among the advantages of the present invention are be apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings;

FIG. 1 is a top view of an apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line' 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 a -8 d are diagrammatic plan views showing the clamping of a filling thread in a clamp carried by the first conveyor; and

FIGS. 9 a 9 d are diagrammatic plan views showing the clamping of a filling thread in a clamp carried by the second conveyor.

The apparatus chosen to illustrate the present inven-- tion is located behind and in part beneath a substan- 'tially conventional warp knitting machine. The knitting instrumentalities of the machine are indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 2, and are located in there'gion ll of FIG. 1, but are not shown in FIG. 1. Individual filling threads 12, extending between a first conveyor 13 (FIGS. 1- and 2) and a second conveyor 14, are moved to the knitting instrumentalities, 10.

The knitting cycle of the machine is identical to a conventional knittingcycle, exceptthat a filling thread 12 is placed behind the knitting needles at some point during each knitting cycle. Thus, as each course is formed, the filling threads are incorporated in the fabric on top of the row of loops produced during the immediately preceding cycle and beneath the threads which will formthe-next row of loops. The filling threads are not involved in the actual knitting operation, i.e they are not engaged by the hooked upper ends of the knitting needles,.nor do they pass through the usual guide eyelets through which the threads extending from the warp beams pass.

In the present example, each conveyor 13 and 14 is an endless chain, having a top and bottom run, trained about sprocket wheels 17 mounted for rotation on horizontal shafts 18. Each shaft 18 is rotated by a suitable transmission (not shown) connected to the main drive shaft of the knitting machine. The conveyors are spaced apart a distance slightly exceeding the width of the needle bed of the knitting machine, i.e., the width of the knitted fabric produced by the machine.

Arranged above and generally crosswise with respect to conveyors 13 and 14 are a pair of rectangular stationary'frames 21 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4). Each frame carby frames 21. A fixed channel-shaped support 26 may be provided to support the top and bottom runs of each chain. One stub shaft 22 of each conveyor chain is connected by a suitable transmission (not shown) to the main drive shaft of the machine so as to move all the chains 24 and in such a way that the lower run of each chain moves from the right toward the left in FIG.-

4, i.e., from filling thread conveyor 13 toward filling thread conveyor 14. The purpose of the chains 24 and 25 is to move a thread guide means 29 between conveyors 13 and 14.

conveyor 13. After passing over the latter conveyor,

. carriage 30 moves downwardly around the opposite sprocket wheels 23 and its direction of movement is again reversed.

. Along its front upper edge, i.e., its upper edge facing conveyor 14, carriage 30 is furnished with a plurality of thread guide members or eyelets 34, and the same number of eyelets (FIG. 4) is provided along its from lower edge. The number of eyelets 34' or 35 is equal to the number of individual filling threads 12 which are to be applied simultaneously to the con-' veyors 13 and 14 during each pass of carriage 30 from conveyor 13 to conveyor 14. Theoretically, any number offilling threads can be applied, but forthe sake of illustration in the present example it will be assumed that 72 filling threads are simultaneously applied to the conveyors.

Adjacent to its rear lower edge, carriage 30 carries a horizontal bracket 36 (FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5) slidable laterally with respect to carriage 30, i.e., slidablein a direction parallel to thelength of conveyors 13 and 14. A horizontal projection 37 on carriage 30, having a dovetail cross-sectional shape, is slidably. accommodated within a dovetail recess in bracket 36, to effect the sliding connection between bracket 36 and carriage 30. Bracket 36 has an upstanding cam follower 38 at one end and an upstanding extension 39 at the other. A tension spring 40 (FIG. 2), extending between extension 39 and carriage 30 urges bracket 36 toward the right in FIG. 2, and maintains follower 38 against a cam bar 41 carried by one of the frames 21. A horizontally projecting cam 42 (FIGS. 1 and 5)is mounted on cam bar -41 and extends the entire distance between conveyors l3 and 14. Cam 42 cooperates with follower 38 to shift bracket 36 laterally against the force of spring Bracket 36 carries 72 thread holding means or clamps, the number 72 being illustrative as explained above. Each thread clamp includes a stem 46 extending rounds each stem 46 between the upper face of bracket 36 and the lower face of follower 48 and urges clamping head 47 against the bottom face of bracket 36, i.e., thread clamping condition. The thread clamps are in this condition except when the ends of follower 48 are beneath the lowest portion 51 (FIGS. 4 and 5) of cam bars 41 and 49. In this latter case, follower 48 pushes stems 46 downwardly against the force of springs and moves clamping heads 47 away from the bottom face of bracket 36, so that threads '12 can move with respect to the clamps. Y

Arranged above carriage 30 is a long arm 54(FIGS. 1 and 4) swingable about a vertical pivot 55. The portion of arm 54 above carriage 30 is furnished with, in this example, 72 eyelets 56, and near its pivot 55, arm 54 is furnished with another set of 72 eyelets 57. Each eyelet 56 and 57 guides a thread 12 from one of 72 thread supplies 58, which may be in the form of the usual wound cones to one of the eyelets 34 on carriage 30. From eyelet 34, each thread is guided through an eyelet 35, and then to one of the clamps including head 47. Through a suitable transmission (not shown) connected to the main shaft of the machine, arm 54 is swung back and forth through an are having a long enough radius so that its free endv carrying eyelets 56 remains close, and substantially parallel, to carriage 30. Arm 54 thereby serves to prevent any slack in threads 12 from becoming entangled in the mechanism which moves carriage 30.

Conveyors l3 and 14 may be identical, and-hence only one will be described in detail. In this illustration, each conveyor is a chain comprising relatively large rigid links 61 (FIGS. 3, 6, and 7) joined to adjacent like links by short flexible chains 62 and made of much smaller links. This construction makes each conveyor expansible and compressible along its length. In expanded condition, each two successive links 61 are spaced apart-to a maximum'extent and the chain 62 between them is substantially straight. This condition is illustrated in the bottom run .in FIG. 3. In maximum compressed condition, each two successive links touch each other, and the chain 62 between-them hangs down in a loop, as shown at the right end in FIG. 3, and the V left end in FIG. 7.

Each link 61 has lateral flanges 63 slidably arranged in support channels 64 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 6; for clarity channel 64 has been omitted from FIG. 3) mounted on a stationary framework 65. A thread clamp carried by each link 61 comprises a cylindrical anvil 66 fixed'to the link, a stem 67 extending slidably through an aperture in the anvil and link, and a clamping head 68 fixed to the upper end of stem 67. A follower 69 is fixed to surrounds stem 67 between follower 69 and the bottom face of link 61 ..Spring 70 normally holds clamping slidably through a vertical aperture in bracket 36, and

carrying a clamping head 47 at its lower end. A single elongated cam follower 48 is located behind the rear face of carriage 30 and is secured to the upper ends of all the stems 46. The extremities of follower 48 which extend beyond the sides of carriage 30, engage the under surfaces of cam bars 41 and 49, these two cam bars being identical except that they are secured to opposite frames 21 and only cam bar 41 carries horizontally projecting cam 42. A compression spring 50 surthe lower end of stem 67, and a compression spring head 68 against anvil 66.

Located beneath the upper run of each conveyor chain 13 and 14, in the region between the frames 21- (as viewed in FIG. 1), is a thread clamp actuator, seen best in FIGS. 6 and 7. The actuator includes a member 73 having three vertical portions 74 slidable vertically through apertures in frame 65. A horizontal portion 75 is arranged in vertical alignment with followers 69, and is of such length that it can simultaneously engage, in the present example, exactly 72 followers 69. The end verticals 74 extend above horizontal 75 to form abut-- ments 71. Normally, member 73 is pulled down to the broken line position in FIG. 7. by tension springs 76, wherein member 73 does not engage followers 69. A pair of solenoids 77 whose armatures are connected to member 73 serve, when energized, to lift member 73 to its full line position in FIG. 7, wherein portion 75 engages followers 69 of 72 clamps and thereby lifts the clamping heads 68 of those clamps away from anvils 66. Also, abutments 71 engage the end links 61 of the 72 links above horizontal 75 and temporarily stop the 72 links, although the remainder of the chain continues to move. When the solenoids 77 are deenergized, springs 70 again brings heads 68 into contact with anvils 66 and the 72 links are free to move again.

Frame 65 associated with conveyor 14 is provided with an additional solenoid 78, the armature of which carries a band saw 79 (FIGS. 1 and 6) which may move continuously. A tension spring 80 normally holds the armature and saw 79 down, but when the solenoid 78 is energized the saw is moved upwardly into a position for cutting filling threads 12, as will be described below.

The extensibility and compressibility of each chain conveyor 13 and 14 permits actuator 73 to temporarily halt 72 of the chain links, as mentioned above, without stopping the chain as a whole. Stopping of 72 links simultaneously is needed to permit opening of the clamps and to permit eyelets 35 and clamps 47 carried by carriage 30 to pass, in meshing relationship, between the chain clamps, the purpose of which will be described below.

When 72 chain clamps are engaged by actuator 73, the links 61 carrying these clamps are desirably in their maximum compressed condition, as shown in FIG. 7, since in this condition the clamps will mesh properly with the eyelets and clamps of carriage 30, and the portion of the chain immediately closer to the knitting instrumentalities 10 will be expansible to permit movement of the chain despite the temporary halt of the 72 links. Compression of each chain 13 and 14 is effected by a compressor sprocket wheel 83 (FIGS. 2 and 3) rotatably mounted by meansof shaft 84 (FIG. 1). As mentioned above, the ends of conveyor chains 13 and 14 are trained about sprocket wheels 17. Each sprocket wheel 17 and 83 may be constructed, as shown in FIG. 3A, of two spaced apart sprocket plates 85 and 86 joined by a hub 87. The spaces 88 between the sprocket teeth accommodate the lateral flanges 63 of links 61.

The pitch of the teeth of each sprocket wheel 17 is such that they accommodate links 61 in their maximum spaced apart condition. On the other hand, the pitch of the teeth of each compressor sprocket wheel 83 is such that they accommodate links 61 in their maximum compressed condition, i.e., successive links 61 touching each other. The diameter of sprocket wheel 83 is smaller than that of sprocket wheel 17, so that the former engages only the top run of its respective chain 13 or 14. The periphery of sprocket wheel 83 isrotated, via a suitable transmission (not shown) connected to the main shaft of the knitting machine, at a speed slower than the speed of rotation of the periphery of sprocket wheel 17. It is this difference in speed which causes links 61 to move closer to each other as they travel from sprocket wheel 17 (in FIG. 3)

, wheel 83 to draw chains 62 down and prevent their becoming tangled, so that they will not prevent links 61 from contacting each other.

The operation of the apparatus will be described with particular reference to FIGS. 8ad and 9a-d, in which a single eyelet 35, a single carrier clamping head 47, and a single filling thread 12, are each representative of all 72 of their kind. The cycle begins with carriage 30 in the lowermost broken line position of FIG. 1, equivalent to a position to the right of conveyor 13 in FIG. 4, and at the beginning of the lower runs of chains 24 and 25. In this position, follower 38 has not yet engaged cam 42, and hence each carriage clamping head 47 is directly behind an eyelet 35 (FIG. 8a). Also, follower 48 has not yet engaged cam bars 41 and 49, and hence the end of each of 72 filling threads 12 is clamped between a carriage clamping head 47 and the bottom face of bracket 36 (FIG. 8a).

As carriage 30 moves toward the left in FIGS. 4 and 8a, follower 38 engages cam 42 and shifts bracket 36 toward the left in FIGS. 1 and 2, bringing carrier clamping head 47 to the position shown in FIG. 8b. This movement of carrier 30 has also caused eyelet 35, and thread 12 behind it, to move between two of the chain clamping heads indicated as 68a and 68b. Due to the shift of bracket 36, however, carriage clamping head 47 is directly behind the space between conveyor clamping heads 68b and 680. At some time previous to this, solenoids 77 (FIG. 7) have been energized by a suitable switch operated in timed relation to operation of the apparatus, to lift the heads 68 of 72 clamps carried by conveyor 13 away from their respective anvils 66.

Continued movement of carriage 30 causes clamping head 47 to move between conveyor clamping heads 68b and 680 (FIG. 8c) bringing the end of thread 12 with it. As a result the end region of thread 12 is looped around stem 67 carrying clamping head 68b. At this point, solenoids 77 are deenergized, whereby clamping head 68b clamps filling thread 12 between it and its respective anvil 66 (FIG. 8d). Links 61 carrying clamps in which threads 12 are clamped now begin moving again. Simultaneously, or instantaneously thereafter, follower 48 engages the lowest portion 51 of cam bars 41 and 49, thus moving carriage clamping heads 47 away from the bottom face of bracket 36, to release engagement of follower 38 along cam 42. Thus, 72 filling threads 12 are simultaneously drawn from conveyor 13 toward conveyor 14. It will be appreciated that since supply cones 58 do not move with carriage 30, but instead are stationary, tension in a thread 12 from any supply cone can be adjusted without interrupting operation of the apparatus. Equally important, by providing an auxiliary cone adjacent to each supply cone 58, and typing the end of the supply cone thread to the beginning of the auxiliary cone thread, feeding of thread 12 from the supplies can be madecontinuous so that there is never a need to stop the machine to replenish a filling thread supply.

FIG. 9a illustrates carriage approaching conveyor 14, bracket 36 still being in its shifted position. As carriage 30 crosses conveyor 14 (FIG. 9b) eyelet moves between two clamping heads 68d and 68e. 72 such heads are lifted off their respective anvils 66 by energization of solenoids 77 associated with conveyor 14. Continued movement of carriage 30 causes clamping head 47 to pass between conveyor clamping heads 68d and 68e. Immediately thereafter, follower 38 leaves cam 42 permitting spring to return bracket 36 toward the right in FIG. 2, whereby as shown in FIG. 9c stem 46 pushes thread 12 beneath conveyor clamping head 68d. At this point, with the parts in the positions shown in FIG. 9d, three things happen substantially simultaneously. First, solenoids 77 are deenergized causing clamping head 68d to clamp thread 12 between it and its respective anvil 66. (This also frees the temporarily stopped portion of the chain for movement). Second, follower 48 leaves cam bars 41 and 49, whereby thread 12 is clamped between carriage clamping head 47 and the bottom face of bracket 36. Third, solenoid 78 is energized for an instant to raise band saw 79 and cut the portions of threads 12 extending between conveyor 14 and carriage 30.

Carriage 30 is now in the uppermostbroken line position shown in FIG. 1, and from here it moves back along the upper runs of conveyor chains 24 and 25 to its lowermost broken line position shown in FIG. 1, where it begins another cycle, as just described. The timing of the parts is such that during movement of carriage 30 from conveyor 13 to conveyor 14, i.e., one half its cycle, one half or 36 of the thread-bearing clamps of each of conveyors 13 and 14 move through the feeding station of that conveyor, i.e., the portion of the conveyor over which carriage 30 moves and which is engaged by member 73 (FIG. 7), and during movement of carriage 30 back from conveyor 14 to to conveyor 13, i.e., the second half of its cycle, the other half or 36 of the thread-bearing clamps of each conveyor 13 and 14 move through the feeding station of that conveyor. Thus, at the beginning of each new cycle, the last of 72 threadbearing clamps of conveyor 13 has just left the feeding station, and the next 72 clamps of conveyor 13 are in the feeding station and ready to be filled with threads 12. If a relatively large number of filling threads, e.g. 72 are drawn between conveyor 13 and 14 simultaneously, carriage 30 can move at moderate speed although the threads 12 are delivered at high speed to the knitting machine by conveyors l3 and 14.

Conveyors 13 and 14 moving toward the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 deliverthe filling threads 12 one-by-one to the knitting instrumentalities of the knitting machine. As the conveyor clamps move around sprocket wheels 17 at the knitting machine end of the conveyors 13 and 14, followers 69 of two clamps holding the same thread 12 engage stationary cams 91 (FIG. 2), whereupon the associated clamping heads 68 are moved away from their anvils to release the thread. The timing of the operation is such that the thread 12 is deposited directly behind the knitting needlesl0 of the knitting machine for incorporation in the knitted fabric. If desired, one filling thread 12 may be delivered to the needles 10 during each knitting cycle of the machine. Alternatively, the speed of conveyors l3 and 14 can be adjusted to deliver a filling thread 12 at other times, such as every second or third cycle of the machine.

The invention has been shown and described in preferred form only and many variations may be made which will still be comprised within its spirit. For example, eyelets 35 could be mounted for shifting movement rather than the carriage clamps. Also, cam 42 could be replaced with two short cams, one at the beginning and one at the end of present cam 42, which would produce the same result as cam 42. It is understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment except insofar as such limitations appear in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for feeding filling threads to a warp knitting machine comprising first and second conveyor means extending to spaced apart points, respectively, adjacent the knitting instrumentalities of the machine,

a plurality of thread clamping means carried by and movable with each of said conveyor means,

a plurality of filling thread supplies,

guide means, movable from said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means, for guiding filling threads drawn from said supplies, said guide means being movable independently of said thread supplies,

first actuating means for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said first conveyor, before said guide means reaches said second conveyor, to effect simultaneous securement of a plurality of filling threads from said supplies in said first conveyor clamping means while said guide means is still moving toward said second conveyor, subsequent movement of said guide means causing a plurality of filling threads fixed to said first conveyor clamping means to be drawn from said first conveyor to thereby tension the threads toward said second conveyor,

second actuating means operable after operation of said first actuating means is complete for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said second conveyor in timed relation to movement of said guide means, to effect simultaneous securement of said plurality of filling threads in said second conveyor clamping means, and

cutting means for severing the portions of said filling threads extending from said second conveyor clamping means to said guide means.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a third conveyor means arranged generally crosswise with said conveyors comprises a series of rigid links, at least some of the pairs of successive rigid links being joined by flexible links, whereby a pair of rigid links joined by a flexible link can move toward and away from each other along the length of the conveyor.

3. Apparatus for feeding filling threads to a warp l knitting machine comprising first and second conveyor means extending to spaced apart points, respectively, adjacent the knitting instrumentalities of the machine,

a plurality of thread clamping means carried by and movable with each of said conveyor means,

a plurality of filling thread supplies,

guide means, movable from said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means, for guiding filling threads drawn from said supplies, said guide means being movable independently of said thread supplies,

first actuating means for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said first conveyor in timed relation to movement of said guide means, to effect simultaneous securement of a plurality of filling threads from said supplies in said first conveyor clamping means, subsequent movement of said guide means causing a plurality of filling threads to be drawn from said first conveyor toward said second conveyor,

second actuating means for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said second conveyor in timed relation to movement of 35 said guide means, to effect simultaneous securement of said plurality of filling threads in said second conveyor clamping means,

each of said first and second conveyors being extensible and compressible along its length, so that without interrupting movement of said conveyor as a whole a portion of said conveyor carrying a plurality of said clamping means may be stopped to permit its respective actuating means to operate said plurality of clamping means, and

cutting means for severing the portions of said filling threads extending from said second conveyor clamping means to said guide means.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 including means for compressing each of said conveyors prior to operation of its respective clamping means by its respective actuating means.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein each of 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 including means for compressing each of said conveyors prior to operation of its respective clamping means by its respective actuating means, said compressing means including a rotatable sprocket wheel for engaging said conveyor, the pitch and speed of rotation of said sprocket wheel being such as to cause said rigid links to move closer to each other.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 including means for rotating said sprocket wheel, and a slip clutch means between said rotating means and said sprocket wheel.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said thread clamping means has an anvil, a clamping head, means resiliently urging said clamping head toward said anvil, and a projection carried by said clamping head, and each of said actuating means includes a member for simultaneously engaging a plurality of said projections to simultaneously move the clamping heads carrying said projections away from their respective anvils.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including means for moving said actuating member in timed relation to movement of said guide means. 7

10. Apparatus asdefined in claim 9 wherein said means for moving said actuating member includes solenoid means.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said apparatus includes a stationary frame, said guide means being movable with respect to said frame, and said filling thread supplies being stationary with respect to said frame.

12. Apparatus for feeding filling threads to a warp knitting machine comprising first and second conveyor means extending to spaced apart points, respectively, adjacent the knitting instrumentalities of the machine,

a plurality of thread clamping means carried by and movable with each of said conveyor means,

a plurality of filling thread supplies,

guide means, movable from said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means, for guiding filling threads drawn from said supplies, said guide means being movable independently of said thread supplies,

a thread control arm movable with said guide means, said arm being longer than said guide means in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said guide means, filling threads from said supplies extending along said arm to said guide means said thread control arm preventing entanglement of the filling threads as they are fed from the thread supplies,

first actuating means for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said first conveyor in timed relation to movement of said guide means, to efiect simultaneous securement of a plurality of filling threads from said supplies in said first conveyor clamping means, subsequent movement of said guide means causing a I plurality of filling threads to be drawn from said first conveyor toward said second conveyor,

second actuating means for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said second conveyor in timed relation to movement of said guide means, to effect simultaneous securement of said plurality of filling threads in said second conveyor clamping means, and

cutting means for severing the portions of said filling threads extending from said second conveyor clamping means to said guide means.

13. Apparatus for feeding filling threads to a warp knitting machine comprising first and second conveyor means extending to spaced apart points, respectively, adjacent the knitting instrumentalities of the machine,

a plurality of thread clamping means carried by and movable with each of said conveyor means,

a plurality of filling thread supplies,

guide means, movable from said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means, for guiding filling threads drawn from said supplies, said guide means being movable independently of said thread supplies,

first actuating means for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said first conveyor in timed relation to movement of said guide means, to effect simultaneous securement of a plurality of filling threads from said supplies in said first conveyor clamping means, subsequent movement of said guide means causing a plurality of filling threads to be drawn from said first conveyor toward said second conveyor,

second actuating means for simultaneously operating a a plurality of said clamping means-carried by said second conveyor in timed relation to movement of said guide means, to effect simultaneous securement' of said plurality of filling threads in said second conveyor clamping means,

cutting means for severing the portions of said filling threads extending from said second conveyor clamping means to said guide means,

a plurality of thread holding means carried by said guide means, and

control means for causing each holder to retain a filling thread after the latter is severed by said cutting means, but said control means causing each said holding means to permit relative movement between its respective thread and said guide means after clamping of its respective thread by said first conveyor clamping means.

movable with respect to an anvil, and means resiliently urging said head toward said anvil, said control means I including means for simultaneously moving all said clamping heads away from said anvil after securement of said filling threads by said first conveyor clamping means, to' permit free movement of said threads with respect to said guide means during movement of the latter between said first and second conveyors.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said means for moving said clamping heads includes a cam located alongside the path of movement of said guide means, and a follower carried by said guide-means and adapted to engage said cam. I

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 including a plurality of thread guide members carried by said guide means, each of said guide members being substantially aligned with one of said thread holding means in the.

directionof movement of said guide means, each of said holding means'and its aligned guide member engaging the same filling thread and being adapted to move that thread between two successive clamping means carried by said first conveyor, and means for shifting said plurality of holding means with respect to said plurality of guide members just before the shifted parts m ve said filling threads between said first conveyor camping means, said shift being in a lateral direction with respect to the direction of movement of said guide means and for a distance about equal to the spacing between each two successive first conveyor clamping means, so that each filling thread is wrapped around one of said first conveyor clamping means as I said guide means crosses said first conveyor.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein each of 40 said holding means is a clamp having a clamping head 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said shifting means includes a bracket carried by said guide means for supporting said holding means, said bracket being shiftable laterally with respect to said guide means, a follower projecting from said bracket, and a cam located in the path of movement of said follower as said guide means moves for engaging said follower and shifting said bracket. 

1. Apparatus for feeding filling threads to a warp knitting machine comprising first and second conveyor means extending to spaced apart points, respectively, adjacent the knitting instrumentalities of the machine, a plurality of thread clamping means carried by and movable with each of said conveyor means, a plurality of filling thread supplies, guide means, movable from said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means, for guiding filling threads drawn from said supplies, said guide means being movable independently of said thread supplies, first actuating means for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said first conveyor, before said guide means reaches said second conveyor, to effect simultaneous securement of a plurality of filling threads from said supplies in said first conveyor clamping means while said guide means is still moving toward said second conveyor, subsequent movement of said guide means causing a plurality of filling threads fixed to said first conveyor clamping means to be drawn from said first conveyor to thereby tension the threads toward said second conveyor, second actuating means operable after operation of said first actuating means is complete for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said second conveyor in timed relation to movement of said guide means, to effect simultaneous securement of said plurality of filling threads in said second conveyor clamping meaNs, and cutting means for severing the portions of said filling threads extending from said second conveyor clamping means to said guide means.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a third conveyor means arranged generally crosswise with respect to said first and second conveyor means, said third conveyor means carrying said guide means between said first and second conveyor means, and said third conveyor means crossing said first conveyor means at a location farther from the knitting instrumentalities of the machine than the location at which said third conveyor means crosses said second conveyor means.
 3. Apparatus for feeding filling threads to a warp knitting machine comprising first and second conveyor means extending to spaced apart points, respectively, adjacent the knitting instrumentalities of the machine, a plurality of thread clamping means carried by and movable with each of said conveyor means, a plurality of filling thread supplies, guide means, movable from said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means, for guiding filling threads drawn from said supplies, said guide means being movable independently of said thread supplies, first actuating means for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said first conveyor in timed relation to movement of said guide means, to effect simultaneous securement of a plurality of filling threads from said supplies in said first conveyor clamping means, subsequent movement of said guide means causing a plurality of filling threads to be drawn from said first conveyor toward said second conveyor, second actuating means for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said second conveyor in timed relation to movement of said guide means, to effect simultaneous securement of said plurality of filling threads in said second conveyor clamping means, each of said first and second conveyors being extensible and compressible along its length, so that without interrupting movement of said conveyor as a whole a portion of said conveyor carrying a plurality of said clamping means may be stopped to permit its respective actuating means to operate said plurality of clamping means, and cutting means for severing the portions of said filling threads extending from said second conveyor clamping means to said guide means.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 including means for compressing each of said conveyors prior to operation of its respective clamping means by its respective actuating means.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said conveyors comprises a series of rigid links, at least some of the pairs of successive rigid links being joined by flexible links, whereby a pair of rigid links joined by a flexible link can move toward and away from each other along the length of the conveyor.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 including means for compressing each of said conveyors prior to operation of its respective clamping means by its respective actuating means, said compressing means including a rotatable sprocket wheel for engaging said conveyor, the pitch and speed of rotation of said sprocket wheel being such as to cause said rigid links to move closer to each other.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 including means for rotating said sprocket wheel, and a slip clutch means between said rotating means and said sprocket wheel.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said thread clamping means has an anvil, a clamping head, means resiliently urging said clamping head toward said anvil, and a projection carried by said clamping head, and each of said actuating means includes a member for simultaneously engaging a plurality of said projections to simultaneously move the clamping heads carrying said projections away from their respective anvils.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including means for moving said actuating member in timed relation to movement of said guide means.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for moving said actuating member includes solenoid means.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said apparatus includes a stationary frame, said guide means being movable with respect to said frame, and said filling thread supplies being stationary with respect to said frame.
 12. Apparatus for feeding filling threads to a warp knitting machine comprising first and second conveyor means extending to spaced apart points, respectively, adjacent the knitting instrumentalities of the machine, a plurality of thread clamping means carried by and movable with each of said conveyor means, a plurality of filling thread supplies, guide means, movable from said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means, for guiding filling threads drawn from said supplies, said guide means being movable independently of said thread supplies, a thread control arm movable with said guide means, said arm being longer than said guide means in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said guide means, filling threads from said supplies extending along said arm to said guide means said thread control arm preventing entanglement of the filling threads as they are fed from the thread supplies, first actuating means for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said first conveyor in timed relation to movement of said guide means, to effect simultaneous securement of a plurality of filling threads from said supplies in said first conveyor clamping means, subsequent movement of said guide means causing a plurality of filling threads to be drawn from said first conveyor toward said second conveyor, second actuating means for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said second conveyor in timed relation to movement of said guide means, to effect simultaneous securement of said plurality of filling threads in said second conveyor clamping means, and cutting means for severing the portions of said filling threads extending from said second conveyor clamping means to said guide means.
 13. Apparatus for feeding filling threads to a warp knitting machine comprising first and second conveyor means extending to spaced apart points, respectively, adjacent the knitting instrumentalities of the machine, a plurality of thread clamping means carried by and movable with each of said conveyor means, a plurality of filling thread supplies, guide means, movable from said first conveyor means to said second conveyor means, for guiding filling threads drawn from said supplies, said guide means being movable independently of said thread supplies, first actuating means for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said first conveyor in timed relation to movement of said guide means, to effect simultaneous securement of a plurality of filling threads from said supplies in said first conveyor clamping means, subsequent movement of said guide means causing a plurality of filling threads to be drawn from said first conveyor toward said second conveyor, second actuating means for simultaneously operating a plurality of said clamping means carried by said second conveyor in timed relation to movement of said guide means, to effect simultaneous securement of said plurality of filling threads in said second conveyor clamping means, cutting means for severing the portions of said filling threads extending from said second conveyor clamping means to said guide means, a plurality of thread holding means carried by said guide means, and control means for causing each holder to retain a filling thread after the latter is severed by said cutting means, but said control means causing each said holding means to permit relative movement between its respective thread and said guide means after clamping of its respective thread by said first conveyor clamping means.
 14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wHerein each of said holding means is a clamp having a clamping head movable with respect to an anvil, and means resiliently urging said head toward said anvil, said control means including means for simultaneously moving all said clamping heads away from said anvil after securement of said filling threads by said first conveyor clamping means, to permit free movement of said threads with respect to said guide means during movement of the latter between said first and second conveyors.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said means for moving said clamping heads includes a cam located alongside the path of movement of said guide means, and a follower carried by said guide means and adapted to engage said cam.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 including a plurality of thread guide members carried by said guide means, each of said guide members being substantially aligned with one of said thread holding means in the direction of movement of said guide means, each of said holding means and its aligned guide member engaging the same filling thread and being adapted to move that thread between two successive clamping means carried by said first conveyor, and means for shifting said plurality of holding means with respect to said plurality of guide members just before the shifted parts move said filling threads between said first conveyor clamping means, said shift being in a lateral direction with respect to the direction of movement of said guide means and for a distance about equal to the spacing between each two successive first conveyor clamping means, so that each filling thread is wrapped around one of said first conveyor clamping means as said guide means crosses said first conveyor.
 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said shifting means includes a bracket carried by said guide means for supporting said holding means, said bracket being shiftable laterally with respect to said guide means, a follower projecting from said bracket, and a cam located in the path of movement of said follower as said guide means moves for engaging said follower and shifting said bracket. 